Researchers at Charco Neurotech have developed an innovative device called the CUE1, which combines wearable technology with vibrotactile stimulation and cueing to improve motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). This device has recently been granted regulatory approval in the United Kingdom and Europe and is undergoing testing at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. The FDA approval is pending and expected in the coming months.
A case study presented at the 2023 International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders showcased the positive outcomes of the CUE1 device. The study focused on a 77-year-old patient with PD and rapid freezing of gait, who experienced a sustained improvement in Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS)-III scores over a 4-month period with the use of the CUE1 device. The patient’s MDS-UPDRS III score decreased from 35 to 29 and was maintained at 28 during the follow-up visit.
Lead author Dr. Alistair Mackett, a movement disorder specialist at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, explained that the CUE1 device works by providing vibrotactile stimulation and cues to improve motor symptoms in PD patients. The device is accompanied by digital symptom-tracking software that helps patients communicate their data to others.
The CUE1 device has the potential to be a safe adjunct treatment for PD patients who have a poor response to pharmacological therapy. Despite being in the early stages of development, the device has shown promising results in improving motor symptoms and may have a significant impact on PD treatment.
Further trials and research are being conducted to determine the true effectiveness of the CUE1 device. The potential approval by the FDA will allow for wider access and use of this innovative treatment option.
References:
1. A. Mackett. Case report on the use of a High Frequency Vibrotactile Stimulation and Cueing Device over 4 months in a patient with Parkinson’s Disease and refractory symptoms [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2023;38(suppl 1).
